Wild desert relatives of crops: their direct uses as food

Abstract

Brief notes are given on the potential value of several species, including Ceiba acuminata from semi-arid subtropical scrub of W. Mexico and the closely related C. parvifolia from semi-arid regions of Puebla and Oaxaca in Mexico. Both species produce large tuberous roots that may be of value as a perennial crop. Coppicing might maintain plants as shrubs and allow annual harvesting of young tubers. The seeds are edible and the floss has occasionally been harvested from fruit of C. acuminata.